Radeon HD 3850 vs GeForce RTX 4070
Radeon HD 3850
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 4070
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The Radeon HD 3850 is positioned at rank #308 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3850
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4070
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 4070 is significantly newer (2023 vs 2012). The GeForce RTX 4070 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 3850 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 6613% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 3850.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-6613%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+6613%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | Standard Size (304mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 4070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $550 (vs $179), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 2084.8% better value per dollar than the Radeon HD 3850.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+2084.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($179) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($550) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 3850 and GeForce RTX 4070
Radeon HD 3850
The Radeon HD 3850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 401 points. Launch price was $249.
GeForce RTX 4070
The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the Radeon HD 3850 scores 401 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 6613%. The Radeon HD 3850 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 28 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 2475 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 401 | 26,919+6613% |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 5888+475% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.761 TFLOPS | 29.15 TFLOPS+1555% |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 2475 MHz+148% |
| ROPs | 32 | 64+100% |
| TMUs | 64 | 184+188% |
| L1 Cache | 0.25 MB | 5.8 MB+2220% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 36 MB+7100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The Radeon HD 3850 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 3850 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 1100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 3850) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 12 GB+1100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 504 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 0.5 MB | 36 MB+7100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 12.2+21% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 4.6+39% |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD+ vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | — | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) |
| Decoder | UVD+ | 5th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3850 draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 42.4% difference. The Radeon HD 3850 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon HD 3850) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 208mm vs 304mm, occupying 1 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-35% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-31% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 208mm | 304mm |
| Height | — | 137mm |
| Slots | 1-67% | 3 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 3.1 | 134.6+4242% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $179, while the GeForce RTX 4070 launched at $599 and now averages $550. The Radeon HD 3850 costs 67.5% less ($371 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 48.9 (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 offers 2122.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179-70% | $599 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $179-67% | $550 |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.2 | 48.9+2123% |
| Codename | Pitcairn | AD104 |
| Release | March 5 2012 | April 12 2023 |
| Ranking | #503 | #32 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on Radeon HD 3850 and GeForce RTX 4070
